Help please. Floridians want to see snow this winter.

[WeLuvDCL]

Hi Everyone, I hope I'm posting this on the right thread. We want to book a resort using the RCI collection (we've never done this before). My daughter really wants to see snow this winter. I would greatly appreciate suggestions on which RCI resort to try to book and what time of year. Here is what we are looking for:

1. We live in Florida so I would like something on the east coast so we don't have to deal with time change with the kids (an hour would be fine, just don't want to do 2-5 hour time change)
2. Beginning of January or end of March? I have no idea what areas would still have snow end of March? If any? I know my brother has gone to Pigeon Forge at the beginning of January and no snow so I'm thinking we may need to go further north to make sure there is snow?
3. Our son will be 2 and daughter will be 7 so looking for something that has activities for that age.

TIA!

 

[JMLBrats]

Stowe, VT.

 

[Dean]

Hi Everyone, I hope I'm posting this on the right thread. We want to book a resort using the RCI collection (we've never done this before). My daughter really wants to see snow this winter. I would greatly appreciate suggestions on which RCI resort to try to book and what time of year. Here is what we are looking for:

1. We live in Florida so I would like something on the east coast so we don't have to deal with time change with the kids (an hour would be fine, just don't want to do 2-5 hour time change)
2. Beginning of January or end of March? I have no idea what areas would still have snow end of March? If any? I know my brother has gone to Pigeon Forge at the beginning of January and no snow so I'm thinking we may need to go further north to make sure there is snow?
3. Our son will be 2 and daughter will be 7 so looking for something that has activities for that age.

TIA!

I'm not sure there are any areas that fit the requirements you've mentioned. I'm assuming you mean a location you can drive to. The smokies (Gatlinburg areas and NC side) will be hit or miss. If you insist on driving, this may still be your best bet though it's not a good area to use DVC as an exchange. The value simply isn't there and while there are a lot of decent places, there really isn't much for top options and the couple that are top resorts aren't in the mountainous areas (Wyndham). If you're set on snow I'd reconsider location and fly to some of the more traditional ski areas. January after the holiday shouldn't be too difficult if you start your search now, late March shouldn't be too difficult either but the in between times will be tough. Remember not all resorts have 1 BR so you may have to go with a 2 BR unit at 270 points. You might look at the WV resorts but places like CO, Vermont, Utah & Tahoe may still be the best bet if snow is a must.

 

[bbn1122]

Smuggler's Notch in Vermont. It is a fantastic family resort. We were there many years ago in the summer' but it is known for its Winter Sports and activities.

It is just north of Stowe which is a great town. I do not know if it too far...maybe one of the resorts in PA or upstate NY....but you will definitely get snow in. Vermont"

 

[JoeA]

This really isn't what you asked for but I'd consider Colorado. Keystone has a nice resort, I hear. Lots to do including tubing (sledding) and a beginner ski class for your daughter. And the snow is much better than the east coast (more powder, less ice!). Sorry if I just offended east coasters!

You can also visit Denver, which usually has nice weather as a break from snow. Denver also has very economical flight options since it's such a big airport (United hub, Southwest, the "new" Frontier).

The mountains are beautiful and 2 hour time difference will be forgotten in no time (just drink lots of water).

This post is from a former Floridian!

 

[WeLuvDCL]

Thank you everyone! We don't need to be able to drive just worried about time change on the little one. I'll look into Vermont a little more. I saw the resort they have in the concierge collection, it mentioned Stowe but points were just too much for us. I'll see if I can find anything in the RCI weekly exchange. Silly FL question: Will Stowe, VT still have snow at end of March? I'm finding that not much is left for beginning of January.

 

[keaster]

Come to Canada, we have plenty of the stuff! And this year, we had it until about mid-April

 

[DisneyRegulars]

I'm from western NY and grew up in NH. Chances of snow in late March are hit or miss. Sometimes we get terrible late spring blizzards, but more often than not by St. Patrick's day the weather has turned nicer, and you are more likely to get rain than snow. There is often snow on the ski-slopes still in late March, but it's getting thin. You could probably plan on being able to go snow tubing, but the chances of it actually snowing are much lower than say late January and February.

If it were me, I would head to Colorado in January or March. You will have more snow, and a higher likelihood of snow falling from the sky. Time differences really aren't that bad, don't let them scare you. 2-3 hours is nothing. It's easy to just shift your day and go to bed a little earlier at night. Don't let that keep you from a great snow vacation.

 

[JoeA]

The mountains still have snow here in Colorado!

 

[JimMIA]

Come to Canada, we have plenty of the stuff! And this year, we had it until about mid-April

And Canada won't be crowded in the winter -- because all our wonderful Canadian friends will be here in South Florida...getting AWAY from the snow, eh?

 

[AmyB2006]

Smuggler's Notch in Vermont. It is a fantastic family resort. We were there many years ago in the summer' but it is known for its Winter Sports and activities.

I second this, through a friend. LOL She's gone twice now towards the end of March and loves it. They've made this an annual family trip now this time of year, and is planning on going back next year. Says there's lots of activities for kids and families.

 

[bwvBound]

I second this, through a friend. LOL She's gone twice now towards the end of March and loves it. They've made this an annual family trip now this time of year, and is planning on going back next year. Says there's lots of activities for kids and families.

Just heads-up: these activities are likely fee-based. The fee might be setup more like an "all inclusive" at a high rate (charged for every person in the room) than à la carte.

Edited to add verbiage copied/pasted from RCI website for Smuggler's Notch exchanges:

Optional Resort Amenities Fee: $49.00 a day or $343.00 a week. The fee is not mandatory to check in, but must be paid to access many of the on-site amenities. WiFi Internet access fee is $10.00 a day or $30.00 for 7 days.

I don't know if the Resort Amenity fee is charged per person or per room?

Edited again ... having looked at RCI Week's available inventory for Smuggler's Notch. While I see 695 available weeks, there is nothing between Christmas 2014 and most of March 2015. The earliest 2015 check-in is 3/28! However, there is a good sampling of weeks still available for early 2016: early Jan, late Feb and some across March.

 

[dwelty]

Just be aware that there is a strong El Nino forecast for this winter. That means wetter than normal rainfall in the southern section of the US and drier than normal weather in the north. Typical El Nino winters feature dry winters for the northeast and wetter/snowier winters for the southwest. This year may be kind of dicey.

 

[jaulty]

Where ever you end up, just please be careful driving around in the snow!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

You can always visit Gulf Shores , Alabama in July for our SNOW white sandy beaches.

Hey, I always like putting in a plug for my own state.

Just kidding. Snow in Winter. I am not familiar with concept.

 

[JimMIA]

One aspect of the trip I would caution you about is the drive to the resort.

For example, Smuggs (Smuggler's Notch) looks spectacular, but it's about a 4 hour drive from Boston. You gonna do that in a rental car, driving in snow for the first time? Maybe not.

If not, you need to research how you get from Point A to Point Z without going from Point M to N...to M...to N...to M...to N...you get the idea.

It's a vacation, not an adventure -- you don't want it to be exciting!

OTOH, in Colorado we have flown both into DEN and into Vail/Eagle and taken a shuttle van to Breck, Vail, Aspen/Snowmass, etc ... some of which are 2+ hour trips. Another popular choice is flying into Hayden and going to Steamboat Springs. With a shuttle -- easy and safe. With me at the wheel -- true adventure!

So look for not only a place that will have snow, but a place that will have snow and has a reasonable method of getting from the airport to the resort.

 

[TinkandGoofy'sMom]

Hi Everyone, I hope I'm posting this on the right thread. We want to book a resort using the RCI collection (we've never done this before). My daughter really wants to see snow this winter. I would greatly appreciate suggestions on which RCI resort to try to book and what time of year. Here is what we are looking for:

1. We live in Florida so I would like something on the east coast so we don't have to deal with time change with the kids (an hour would be fine, just don't want to do 2-5 hour time change)
2. Beginning of January or end of March? I have no idea what areas would still have snow end of March? If any? I know my brother has gone to Pigeon Forge at the beginning of January and no snow so I'm thinking we may need to go further north to make sure there is snow?
3. Our son will be 2 and daughter will be 7 so looking for something that has activities for that age.

TIA!

I live in a lovely city 45 minutes North of Toronto. We still had snow in April! I will gladly trade places with you.

 

[butsy113]

Have you considered renting your points out and using the cash to book a resort somewhere. This would give you many more options and possibly save you some money.

 

[micheleq]

Boyne Mountain (northern Michigan) is an RCI exchange.

I am a transplanted New Englander who grew up skiing in Vermont. Boyne is nothing compared to VT, or to skiing out in CO or UT. But, if you want to see snow and introduce your kids to the sport, its a great place. The mountain is tiny by comparison, but Boyne (Mt., not the Highlands) has a great layout with alot to offer families (waterpark on site, restaurants, ski school, lots of lodging options).

Boyne is owned by the parent company that owns several ski resorts out west as well as Sugarloaf in Maine, Loon Mountain in NH.

You can fly to Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids or Traverse City.

 

[dbramer]

If you are looking for RCI properties, the Poconos in Western PA in late Feb still have snow. The ski resorts around there are top notch and there are plenty of winter type activities to experience.